‘Tis the season for mobile malware

By Armando Orozco

You’ve heard of the “perfect storm”? Well, there may be one brewing in Android-land. We just wrapped up a study that revealed holiday shopping is about to go mobile—in a big way. Turns out, overtwo times more shoppers plan to buy gifts on their mobile device this year. Over two times more?! It got me thinking…

As sleigh bells start ringing and shoppers reach for their mobile devices, I can just imagine cybercriminals licking their lips. We’ve seen two popular tactics for Android malware: gaining remote access to your device’s data and sending texts to premium numbers. Of course the end goal is the same for both routes: money, money, money. And what more profitable time to go after the pot of gold than during the busy gift-buying season?

But here’s one more thing to consider: We can’t single out Android devices, because malware isn’t the only risk. The portability of iOS-based smartphones and tablets means they can easily fall into the wrong person’s hands—and whatever data is on that device would go with it.

So before you hit the “mobile mall” on Black Friday, take a few simple steps to protect yourself and your data:

Lock your device. Most smartphones and tablets give you a choice of locking it with a password, numeric code or pattern. Use it.

Know your apps. Only download apps from trusted sources, and never install apps that want to access functions they don’t need, like the ability to send SMS messages. And it’s always smart to check out reviews by users and the experts before installing.

Use caution when connecting to WiFi hotspots. Avoid banking, making purchases, or logging into secure websites when connecting to WiFi hotspots.